Benjamin Bunny

Benjamin Bunny Knitted Toy by Andrew Lucas

What is Being Made

Benjamin Bunny is a beginner-friendly knitted toy designed to measure approximately 15 centimeters in finished height. This chocolate orange-colored bunny is a soft, stuffed plaything suitable for crafters new to knitting who want to create a charming handmade toy.

Craft and Technique Overview

This project uses knitting as the primary construction method. The design employs fundamental knitting techniques that make it accessible to beginners while teaching essential shaping skills. The bunny is constructed in distinct sections—body, shoulders, and head—each built using increases and decreases to create the three-dimensional form.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques Used

• Stocking stitch (st st) – The primary stitch pattern, created by alternating knit rows and purl rows to produce a smooth, flat fabric with a characteristic V-pattern appearance on the right side
• Garter stitch (gs) – A textured stitch created by knitting every row, used selectively in the pattern
• Increases (inc) – Used to expand stitch counts, particularly when shaping the head and body sections to create fullness and dimension
• Decreases (dec) – Knit two stitches together (k2tog) and purl two stitches together (p2tog) to reduce stitch counts and shape the toy, especially around the shoulders and head

Pattern Structure and Construction

The toy is built in three main sections. The body begins by casting on 25 stitches, then immediately increasing in every stitch to create 50 stitches for width. Stocking stitch is worked for 21 rows to establish the body length. The shoulders are shaped by decreasing stitches using knit two together, reducing from 50 stitches back to 25 stitches. The head section begins with increases worked into alternate stitches to expand to 37 stitches, then stocking stitch continues for 12 rows. Color changes introduce visual interest, with green wool introduced for the final head section, worked in stocking stitch for 5 rows before final decreases shape the top of the head.

Materials Required

• Needles: 3.25mm knitting needles
• Yarn: Double knitting weight wool in multiple colors—brown (primary body color), dark brown, green, cream, red, and black (for details and features)
• Stuffing: A small amount of polyester fiberfill or similar toy stuffing to fill the completed knitted form

Finishing Techniques

The pattern uses the Break and Thread (B & T) finishing method, where yarn is broken off leaving a long end, then threaded through remaining stitches on the knitting needle and pulled tight to gather and close openings. This technique is essential for securing the top of the head and completing the toy's construction before stuffing.

This beginner knitting project teaches fundamental shaping through increases and decreases while producing an adorable finished toy, making it an ideal introduction to toy knitting for crafters developing their skills.